Star Trek [2009 Movie Tie-in]

#724
Title: Star Trek [2009 Movie Tie-in]
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Year: 2009
274 pages
Audiobook.

Why yes, it is still my pleasure to read Star Trek novels. Sorry, ladies, I'm already taken.

Foster has always been a more-than-serviceable translator of Star Trek to novel. What I enjoyed about this movie and novel was the story frame, which asserts the inevitability of the Star Trek TOS timeline. George Kirk, a victim of this timeline, may not see it this way, but from the perspective of  the Trekker, important aspects of canon triumph over Nero's attempt to suppress it. That Spock is the witness to this bifurcation and rejoining is a nice echo of his status as a man between worlds and identities.

The novel follows the movie reasonably closely, occasionally providing a glimpse of material that was probably edited or compressed. Without the diversion the movie's bright palette and fast action, the parallels between protagonists' life stories (for example, the losses experienced by Nero, Spock, and Kirk) are more evident. Better with the movie, but could hold its own as a book.

The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey

#723
Title: The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey [Notas de Viaje]
Author: Ernesto Che Guevara
Publisher: Ocean Press
Year: 1992/2003
175 pages
Audiobook.

This makes me feel old, but in a good way. I don't want to be carousing about drunk on stolen wine, ill, with no money, pitching off my broke-down motorcycle over and over, misrepresenting my credentials and trying to score with cute women. I mean, it sounds good on paper, but I've made different choices with my life.

What is interesting here is Che's discourse on class and opportunity. Otherwise, it's a mildly interesting travelogue by a guy.

Goliath (Leviathan, #3)

#722
Title: Goliath (Leviathan, #3)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year: 2011
543 pages

A reasonably satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. While some plot points are attended to, there's a level of detail that isn't entirely resolved. For example, that the perspicacious lorises make connections and inferences before the humans do is an idea just left dangling. Still, a pleasing series with strong male and female teen protagonists. As in the previous two volumes, lovely illustrations.

Confession of a Buddhist Atheist

#721
Title: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Author: Stephen Batchelor
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2010
302 pages

Batchelor's autobiography, which greatly enriches my reading of Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening. Here and there he goes on at more length than seems necessary, but overall this was well-written and very absorbing. 

The Magician's Assistant

#720
Title: The Magician's Assistant
Author: Ann Patchett
Publisher: Harcourt
Year: 1997
368 pages
Audiobook.

This may be my last Patchett. The plots are quite similar in terms of odd coincidences, too-tidy wrap-ups of too many strands, and emotions at the conclusion that I don't believe. This one would have been okay enough as a quick read except that I'd just read another Patchett so while I couldn't guess the plot, I could guess the structure. Plus, I don't buy the ending.

Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way

#719
Title: Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way
Author: Jon Krakauer
Publisher: Knopf
Year: 2011
96 pages

 A useful companion to Mortenson's book, and perhaps one that raises the caution: People with a passion for humanitarian work aren't necessarily the best administrators, and certainly aren't the best accountants. That Mortenson is annoying to work with should be obvious to anyone who's read him, but isn't an indictment of his practices. However, Krakauer documents a number of problems that suggest we really need to attend to infrastructure and fiscal transparency in our non-profits and NGOs, as well as conduct adequate needs assessments and outcome evaluation.

What I Hate: From A to Z

 #718
Title: What I Hate: From A to Z
Author: Roz Chast
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2011
64 pages

Not Chast's best. She's usually hilarious; this inspired a smile or two but had no real zing.